JP2024069071A - Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve a distributing user's willingness to distribute, a viewing user's willingness to view, and/or a willingness to interact with other users. [Solution] In an information processing system in which one or more viewing user terminals and an information processing device are connected via a network, a server device 400 includes a reception unit that receives information transmitted from a first user terminal and/or a second user terminal, a distribution unit that transmits information about a video including a character object of the first user to the second user terminal, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal, a generation unit that generates object display data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user, and a transmission unit that transmits the object display data generated by the generation unit to the second user terminal in response to a display request for the object display frame from the second user terminal received by the reception unit. [Selected Figure] FIG. 36

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program.

There is known an information processing system that generates animation of a character object based on the movement of an actor and distributes a video including the animation of the character object (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-184689 A

In this technical field, an important issue is how to increase distribution users' willingness to distribute, viewing users' willingness to watch, and/or users' willingness to interact with each other.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide technical improvements that solve or mitigate at least some of the problems with the prior art described above.

One of the more specific objectives of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system, information processing method, and computer program that can increase distribution users' motivation to distribute, viewing users' motivation to watch, and/or users' motivation to interact with each other.

The information processing system of the present disclosure is an information processing system having one or more computer processors, the one or more computer processors being characterized in that they include a reception unit that receives information transmitted from a first user terminal of a first user and/or a second user terminal of a second user, a distribution unit that transmits information regarding a video including a character object of the first user to the second user terminal, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal, a generation unit that generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user, and a transmission unit that transmits the object display data generated by the generation unit to the second user terminal in response to a display request for the object display frame from the second user terminal received by the reception unit.

The history information stored in association with the first user may include information regarding a history in which the first user is associated with a specific event.

The history information stored in association with the first user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user.

The history information stored in association with the second user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user.

The history information stored in association with the second user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in any video, including a video associated with the first user.

The generation unit can identify a target object that is the subject of a specific display control from among the objects displayed in the object display frame based on the history information, and generate object display data that displays the target object in a first position in the object display frame, or displays the target object in a manner different from other objects in the object display frame.

Based on the history information, the generation unit can identify a certain number of different predetermined objects in the immediate vicinity to which a display request has been sent from the second user terminal as target objects.

The generation unit can generate object display data that associates the number of times display requests for a specific object were sent at one time with the target object based on the history information.

The receiving unit further receives designation information for an object and/or an attribute of the object transmitted from the first user terminal and/or the second user terminal, and the generating unit identifies the designated object based on the designation information and displays the designated object at a second position in the object display frame, or generates object display data that displays the designated object in a manner different from other objects in the object display frame.

The one or more computer processors further include a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined event is associated with the first user, and when the determination unit determines that the predetermined event is associated with the first user, the generation unit generates display information regarding a required value that is necessary for a parameter value associated with the first user for the predetermined event to reach a predetermined value, and the transmission unit can transmit the display information to the second user terminal.

The specified value can be a value that is predefined for a specified event.

The predetermined value may be a value that varies depending on parameter values associated with other users associated with the given event.

The generation unit can update the display information in real time according to changes in the required values.

The parameter value may be a value that increases based on the number and/or value of requests to display the object in a video sent from the second user terminal.

The generation unit can use the required values as display information.

The generation unit can determine the type of required object to make the required value 0, calculate the number of required objects required to make the required value 0, and display the type and number of required objects as display information.

The generation unit can determine the type of object required to set the required value to 0 based on the history information.

The generation unit can determine the type of object required to set the required value to 0 based on the number of second user terminals.

The generation unit can further generate information for displaying a batch object on the second user terminal, which allows a display request for a number of required objects to be sent in a batch.

The reception unit receives a provisional display request for the required objects from the second user terminal, and when the number of provisional display requests reaches the number, the reception unit can regard the display requests for the number of required objects as having been received all at once.

The first location can be the top position of the object display pane or a location within a particular tab in the object display pane.

The generation unit can calculate the number of points required to make the required value 0, and display the required number as the display information.

The one or more computer processors further include a determination unit that determines whether the number of points associated with the second user is sufficient to meet the required number, and when the determination unit determines that the number of points is insufficient to meet the required number, the transmission unit can transmit, to the second user terminal, information for displaying an object that serves as a guide to a screen that performs processing to increase the points.

The information processing method of the present disclosure is characterized in that it causes one or more computer processors to execute a receiving step of receiving information transmitted from a first user terminal of a first user and/or a second user terminal of a second user, a distribution step of transmitting information regarding a video including a character object of the first user to the second user terminal, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal, a generating step of generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal together with the video, based on historical information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user, a determining step of determining whether or not a display request for the object display frame has been made from the second user terminal, and a transmitting step of transmitting the object display data generated in the generating step to the second user terminal in response to the display request for the object display frame from the second user terminal.

The information processing method of the present disclosure is an information processing method in an information processing device having one or more computer processors, characterized in that the one or more computer processors are caused to execute a receiving step of receiving information about a video including a character object of a first user from a server device, a generating step of generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with a first user terminal of the first user and/or the information processing device, a determining step of determining whether or not a display request for the object display frame has been made, and a display step of displaying, together with the video, the object display frame generated based on the object display data generated in the generating step in response to the display request for the object display frame.

The computer program of the present disclosure is a computer program executed on an information processing device having one or more computer processors, and is characterized in that the one or more computer processors are provided with a receiving function for receiving information relating to a video including a character object of a first user from a server device, a generating function for generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user terminal of the first user and/or the information processing device, and a display function for displaying, together with the video, an object display frame generated based on the object display data generated by the generating function in response to a display request for the object display frame.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide technical improvements that solve or alleviate at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above. Specifically, according to the configuration of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the willingness of broadcasting users to broadcast, the willingness of viewing users to watch, and/or the willingness of users to interact with each other.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server device, a first user terminal, and a second user terminal in the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a virtual space described in the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of a data table stored in a storage device in the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the server device in the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an image of a screen displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of an information processing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing another example of the flow of the information processing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for realizing a computer program according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a second user terminal in the present disclosure. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of an information processing method in a second user terminal in the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for realizing a computer program executed in a second user terminal in the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of processing circuitry for performing computer-based operations in the present disclosure.

First, an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

The information processing system in this disclosure is an information processing system that includes one or more client devices and a server device, and includes one or more computer processors.

The video displayed on each client device will be described as including animation of 3D or 2D character objects generated based on the movements of the broadcasting user, but is not limited to this and may include animation of character objects generated in response to the broadcasting user's operations, or may include an image of the broadcasting user himself. Also, these character objects and the broadcasting user may not be displayed, and only the voice of the broadcasting user may be included.

Here, a broadcasting user refers to a user who transmits information related to video and/or audio. For example, a broadcasting user may be a user who hosts or organizes a single video broadcast (solo broadcast), a collaborative broadcast in which multiple people can participate, a video chat or voice chat in which multiple people can participate and/or watch, or an event (such as a party) in a virtual space in which multiple people can participate and/or watch, in other words, a user who mainly carries out these activities. Therefore, a broadcasting user in this disclosure can also be referred to as a host user, organizer user, or organizer user.

On the other hand, a viewing user refers to a user who receives information regarding video and/or audio. However, a viewing user can be a user who is not only able to receive the above information but also able to react to it. For example, a viewing user may be a user who watches a video broadcast or a collaborative broadcast, or a user who participates in and/or watches a video chat, voice chat, or event. Therefore, a viewing user in this disclosure can also be referred to as a guest user, participating user, listener, spectator user, supporter user, etc.

The information processing system in the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be used to provide a digital world in which many people can participate simultaneously and freely engage in activities such as interacting, working, and playing through character objects (avatars) at a level close to that of the real world, and in which social activities can take place beyond the gap between reality and virtuality, creating a next-generation Internet space (metaverse).

In such a space, users' avatars can roam freely within the world and communicate with each other.

Then, one of the multiple avatars in the virtual space may be configured to be able to distribute video as a character object of the distribution user. In other words, one-to-many video distribution may be possible in a many-to-many metaverse virtual space.

In such a space, there can be no particular distinction between broadcast users and viewing users.

The space depicted in the video may be a virtual space, a real space, or an augmented reality space that combines these. The video may be something like a karaoke video or a game commentary video that plays back at least a specific image and the voice of the broadcasting user, or may display a character object or an actual image of the broadcasting user superimposed on these.

In addition, if the real space includes a broadcast user, a character object generated based on the broadcast user's movements may be displayed superimposed on an actual image of the broadcast user. Also, an animation of a gift object or the like may be displayed superimposed on an image captured in real space.

<System Configuration>
As shown as an example in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1000 of the present disclosure may include one or more viewing user terminals 1100, and an information processing device (support computer) 1300 located in a video distribution studio, etc., connected to these viewing user terminals 1100 via a network 1200.

In addition, the information processing device 1300 may be connected to a specific server device via the Internet, and some or all of the processing to be performed by the information processing device 1300 may be performed by the server device. Such a server device may be the information processing device 2400 shown in FIG. 2.

In this specification, such distribution by the information processing system 1000 is referred to as studio distribution.

In studio streaming, the entire body movements of the streaming user (actor) are captured by a camera installed in the studio using markers attached to the streaming user, and are reflected in the character in real time using known motion capture technology.

The information processing system 1000 of the present invention can also be linked to another information processing system 2000, shown as an example in FIG. 2. The information processing system 2000 shown in FIG. 2 can include a broadcast user terminal 2100, one or more viewing user terminals 2200, and an information processing device (server device) 2400 connected to the broadcast user terminal 2100 and the viewing user terminal 2200 via a network 2300.

In the above example, the broadcast user terminal 2100 can be an information processing terminal such as a smartphone. In this specification, broadcasting by such an information processing system 2000 is referred to as mobile broadcasting.

In mobile distribution, the facial movements of the broadcast user are captured by a camera installed in the broadcast user terminal 2100, and are reflected on the character's face in real time using known face tracking technology.

Note that there is no particular distinction between broadcast users and viewing users in mobile distribution; viewing users can broadcast via mobile at any time, and broadcast users can become viewing users when viewing videos of other broadcast users.

The videos generated by the information processing system 1000 and the information processing system 2000 can be distributed to viewing users from a single video distribution platform, as an example.

In addition, in any broadcast, the process of generating animation by reflecting motion on a character and the process of displaying gifts (described below) may be shared and performed by the broadcasting user terminal, the viewing user terminal, an information processing device, and other devices.

In other words, "distribution" here refers to the transmission of information that enables the video to be viewed on the viewing user's terminal, and the rendering of the video may be performed on the information processing device 1300, 2400 side, or on the distribution user terminal 2100 or the viewing user terminal 1100, 2200 side.

Specifically, facial motion data and voice data of the broadcasting user are transmitted from the broadcasting user terminal or information processing device to a terminal or device that generates (renders) the animation of the character object. Body motion may also be transmitted in addition to facial motion.

In this disclosure, the process of generating animation is described as being performed on both the broadcasting user terminal and the viewing user terminal, but is not limited to this.

The information processing system of the present disclosure can be applied to either of the examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Therefore, the information processing system 3000 in the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as including a first user terminal 100, a second user terminal 200, and a server device 400 that can be connected to the first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 via a network 300, as shown in FIG. 3.

The first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 are connected to the server device 400 via, for example, a base station, a mobile communication network, a gateway, and the Internet. Between the first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 and the server device 400, communication is performed based on a communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In addition, between the first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 and the server device 400, a connection is first established by HTTP communication, and then communication may be performed based on WebSocket, which performs two-way communication with lower cost (lower communication load and processing load) than HTTP communication. Note that the communication method between the first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 and the server device 400 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and any communication method technology may be used as long as it can realize this embodiment.

The first user terminal 100 functions at least as the above-mentioned information processing device 1300, viewing user terminal 1100, broadcast user terminal 2100 or viewing user terminal 2200, the second user terminal 200 functions at least as the above-mentioned information processing device 1300, viewing user terminal 1100, broadcast user terminal 2100 or viewing user terminal 2200, and the server device 400 functions at least as the above-mentioned specified server device or information processing device 2400.

In the present disclosure, the first user terminal 100 and the second user terminal 200 can be a smartphone (multifunction phone terminal), a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a console game machine, a head mounted display (HMD), a wearable computer such as a glasses-type wearable terminal (AR glasses, etc.), and an information processing device capable of playing videos other than these devices. Furthermore, these terminals may be standalone devices that operate independently, or may be composed of multiple devices connected to each other so that they can send and receive various data.

<Hardware Configuration>
Here, the hardware configuration of the first user terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The first user terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 104, and a communication interface (communication I/F) 105. The components are connected to each other via a bus B.

The first user terminal 100 can realize the functions and methods described in this embodiment through cooperation between the processor 101, memory 102, storage 103, input/output I/F 104, and communication I/F 105.

The processor 101 executes functions and/or methods realized by codes or instructions included in a program stored in the storage 103. The processor 101 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and may realize each process disclosed in each embodiment by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a large scale integration (LSI)), etc.). These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes shown in each embodiment may be realized by one integrated circuit. In addition, an LSI may be called a VLSI, a super LSI, an ultra LSI, etc. depending on the degree of integration.

The memory 102 temporarily stores the programs loaded from the storage 103 and provides a working area for the processor 101. The memory 102 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 101 is executing the programs. The memory 102 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

Storage 103 stores programs. Storage 103 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), flash memory, etc.

The communication I/F 105 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, communication software, or a combination of these, and transmits and receives various data via the network 300. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be performed. The communication I/F 105 communicates with other information processing devices via the network 300. The communication I/F 105 transmits various data to other information processing devices according to instructions from the processor 101. The communication I/F 105 also receives various data transmitted from other information processing devices and transmits it to the processor 101.

The input/output I/F 104 includes an input device for inputting various operations to the first user terminal 100, and an output device for outputting the results of processing performed by the first user terminal 100. The input/output I/F 104 may be an integrated input device and output device, or may be separate input device and output device.

The input device is realized by any type of device, or a combination of devices, that can receive input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the processor 101. Examples of input devices include hardware keys such as a touch panel, a touch display, and a keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via images), and a microphone (operation input via voice).

The input device may include a sensor unit. The sensor unit is one or more sensors that detect face motions indicating changes in the user's facial expression and body motions indicating changes in the relative position of the user's body with respect to the sensor unit. Face motions include blinking, opening and closing of the mouth, and other movements. The sensor unit may be a publicly known one. An example of the sensor unit includes a ToF sensor that measures and detects the time of flight (Time of Flight) until light irradiated toward the user is reflected by the user's face and returns, a camera that captures the user's face, and an image processing unit that processes the data captured by the camera. The sensor unit may also include an RGB camera that captures visible light and a near-infrared camera that captures near-infrared light. The RGB camera and the near-infrared camera may be, for example, True Depth of the "iPhoneX (registered trademark)", or LiDAR of the "iPad Pro (registered trademark)", or other ToF sensors installed in smartphones. Specifically, this camera uses a dot projector to project tens of thousands of invisible dots onto the user's face, etc. Then, it detects and analyzes the reflected light from the dot pattern to form a depth map of the face, and captures an infrared image of the face, etc., thereby capturing accurate facial data. The sensor unit's processing unit generates various information based on the depth map and the infrared image, and compares the information with registered reference data to calculate the depth of each point on the face (the distance between each point and the near-infrared camera) and positional deviations other than depth.

The sensor unit may also have a function of tracking not only the user's face but also their hands (hand tracking). The sensor unit may further include sensors other than the above-mentioned sensors, such as an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. The sensor unit may have a spatial mapping function of recognizing objects in the real space in which the user exists based on the detection results of the above-mentioned ToF sensor or other known sensors, and mapping the recognized objects on a spatial map. Hereinafter, when face motion detection data and body motion detection data are described without making a distinction between them, they will simply be referred to as "tracking data". Note that the image processing unit of the sensor unit may be provided in a control unit that can be provided in the information processing system of the present invention.

The operation unit as an input device can be one that corresponds to the type of user terminal. Examples of the operation unit include a touch panel integrated with a display, operation buttons provided on the housing of the user terminal, a keyboard, a mouse, and a controller operated by the user's hand. The controller may have various known sensors built in, such as an acceleration sensor and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) such as a gyroscope. Another example of the operation unit may be a tracking device that identifies the user's hand movement, eye movement, head movement, line of sight, and the like. In this aspect, for example, the user's instructions can be determined based on the user's hand movement, and various operations can be performed, such as starting or ending the distribution of a video, rating a message or a video, and requesting the display of a specific object (for example, a gift, which will be described later). Note that if the sensor unit also has an input interface function such as a hand truck function, the operation unit can be omitted.

The output device outputs the processing results processed by the processor 101. The output device includes, for example, a touch panel, a speaker, etc.

It should be noted that the functions provided by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and/or combinations thereof, programmed to provide the functions described. Processors include transistors and other circuits and are considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed in this specification or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or execute the described functions.

If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is the combination of the hardware and/or software used to configure the hardware and/or processor.

In addition, the second user terminal 200 and server device 400 in this disclosure can also be configured with the same hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 4, unless otherwise noted.

Next, various functions that can be executed on a user terminal that has launched an application realized by an information processing system in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the transition of the screens that are displayed will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Figure 5 shows the top screen T10 that is displayed on a user terminal (it is not yet specified here whether the user will be viewing/distributing) when a video distribution/viewing application is launched.

As shown in FIG. 5, a user can watch a video being played on one distribution channel by selecting a distribution channel (also called a distribution slot, distribution program, distribution video, etc.) from thumbnail images of one or more recommended distribution channels T12 listed in the Recommendations tab T11 on the top screen T10.

Alternatively, a user can view a video being played on a specific distribution channel by accessing a fixed link for the specific distribution channel. Such a fixed link can be obtained through a notification from a first user the user is following, or a share notification sent by another user, etc.

Here, the user watching the video is the viewing user, and the terminal watching the video is the second user terminal 200.

As shown in FIG. 5, the top screen T10 may also display a display area T13 for notifications such as campaigns and events. This notification display area T13 can be switched to display other notifications by sliding the display area.

The top screen T10 displays a follow tab T14, a game tab T15 for displaying game categories, a collaboration waiting tab T16 for displaying distribution channels waiting for collaboration, and a beginner tab T17 for displaying distribution channels for beginners. By selecting these (by switching between tabs), the top screen T10 transitions to each of the different screens.

The service name display T18 and search button T19 in the upper frame of the top screen T10 may remain fixed and displayed on the destination screen.

Similarly, the home button T20, message button T21, delivery preparation button T22, gacha button T23, and profile button T24 in the lower frame of the top screen T10 may also be fixed and remain displayed on the transition destination screen.

On the top screen T10 shown in FIG. 5, a user who selects a displayed thumbnail image T12 becomes a viewing user (second user) who watches the video as described above, and a user who selects the distribution preparation button T22 becomes a distribution user (first user) who distributes the video.

As an example, when the distribution preparation button T22 is selected on the top screen T10 shown in FIG. 5, the screen transitions to the avatar setting screen D10 shown in FIG. 6. Then, when the distribution button D11 is selected on the avatar setting screen D10, the screen transitions to the distribution setting screen D20 shown in FIG. 7. Then, when the start distribution button D25 is selected on the distribution setting screen D20, the screen transitions to the avatar distribution screen D30 shown in FIG. 8.

Next, we will explain the details of the flow until video distribution begins.

The one or more computer processors in the present disclosure may include a distribution start request receiving unit, a distribution setting unit, and a distribution start unit.

The distribution start request receiving unit receives a request to start distribution of a first video including an animation of a character object from a first user terminal of a first user.

Here, the first video refers to a video that includes animation of a character object. Note that in this specification, a character object may also be called an "avatar."

The request to start distribution can be transmitted from the user terminal (which will later become the first user terminal) to the server device 400 by selecting a distribution button D11 located on an avatar setting screen D10 or the like, which is transitioned from the above-mentioned top screen displayed on the user terminal (which will later become the first user terminal) that has launched a dedicated application (video distribution/viewing application) for accessing the video distribution platform.

Figure 6 shows an example of an avatar setting screen D10. The avatar setting screen D10 can display a character object CO, a distribution button D11, a gacha button D12, a change of clothes button D13, a photo button D14, etc.

When the user selects the change clothes button D13, a closet screen appears for selecting various avatar parts for the character object CO, such as eyes, nose, mouth, hair, accessories, clothes, and background.

When the user selects the gacha button D12, a lottery screen for obtaining the avatar parts appears.

When the user selects the photo button D14, a shooting screen appears for taking a still image of the character object.

When the user selects the distribution button D11, a distribution start request is sent to the server device 400.

The distribution setting unit sets the distribution settings of the first video based on the specifications from the first user terminal 100 in response to a request to start distribution of the first video received by the distribution start request receiving unit.

As an example, when the distribution button D11 is selected, the screen displayed on the first user terminal 100 transitions from the avatar setting screen D10 shown in FIG. 6 to the distribution setting screen D20 shown in FIG. 7.

The distribution settings may include at least one of the following: a setting regarding the title of the first video, a setting regarding whether other users can appear in the first video, a setting regarding the number of people who can appear in the first video, and a setting regarding a password.

These distribution settings can be set in the title setting field D21, collaboration permission setting field D22, number of people setting field D23, and password setting field D24 in FIG. 7. In addition, FIG. 7 also displays a collaboration permission field D26 for anyone and a SNS posting permission field D27.

The title of the first video can be freely determined by the broadcasting user within the range of the maximum number of characters allowed. If there is no input from the broadcasting user, a pre-set title including the name of the character object (broadcasting user), such as "This is XXX's broadcast ♪", may be automatically determined.

The first user can freely decide whether or not other users can appear in the first video. If yes, other users can make an appearance request to the distributing user, and if no, other users cannot make an appearance request to the distributing user. In this specification, the state in which other users appear in the first user's video is sometimes referred to as "collaboration." More details on collaboration will be provided later.

The number of people who can appear in the first video can only be set if other users are allowed to appear in the first video as described above, and can be freely determined by the distributor user within the range of the maximum number of people allowed.

The password can be set arbitrarily only if other users are allowed to appear in the first video described above, and the distribution user can freely decide the number of digits specified. When other users apply to appear in the first video, they are required to enter the password. Note that the password setting field D24 may be configured to be active only if the collaboration permission setting field D26 is OFF.

The distribution start unit distributes information about the first video to the viewing user's second user terminal 200 based on the conditions set by the distribution setting unit.

The instruction to start such distribution is sent by selecting the distribution start button D25 shown in FIG. 7.

As an example, the distribution initiation unit distributes (avatar distributes) information about a video (first video) including animation of a character object of a first user to a second user terminal 200 of a second user.

The information about the first video includes, for example, motion information indicating the movement of a character object, voice information of the first user, and gift object information indicating gifts sent by other viewing users. The gift object information includes at least gift object identification information that specifies the type of gift object, and position information that indicates the position where the gift object is displayed.

Then, the distribution start unit can live-stream the video via the video distribution platform described above.

Figure 8 shows the avatar distribution screen D30 displayed on the first user terminal 100.

The avatar distribution screen D30 displays the character object CO, as well as a comment input button D31 for the distribution user to input a comment, a photo button D32 for saving a still image of the screen, a start play button D33 for playing a game described below, an external service linkage button D34 for watching videos provided by an external service, and a gacha button D12 for obtaining avatar parts.

In addition, the top of the avatar distribution screen D30 can display a cumulative viewer count D35, a cumulative like count D36, a collaborator count D37, a share button for external SNS D38, a guest details button D39, a ranking display button D40, a settings button D41, and an audio switch button D42 for switching audio ON/OFF. Also displayed is an end button D43 for ending the distribution.

A detailed description of these displays and buttons will be omitted, but by selecting the settings button D41, it is possible to change the distribution settings set on the distribution settings screen D20.

Note that FIG. 8 shows an example in which distribution has been started with the distribution setting screen D20 set to allow other users to appear in the first video and the number of people who can appear in the first video set to three, so character object CO is displayed shifted to the bottom left. Up to three character objects of other users can appear in the empty space.

The above is an explanation of the screen transitions that occur when delivering an avatar according to the invention disclosed herein.

Next, we will explain the screen transitions that occur when a broadcaster plays a game while broadcasting.

The one or more computer processors in the present disclosure may include a game request receiving unit, a game video distribution unit, and a game display processing unit.

During avatar distribution as shown in FIG. 8, the broadcasting user can request to start playing the game by selecting the start play button D33.

The game displayed by selecting the play start button D33 is a dedicated game implemented in an application realized by the information processing system of the present disclosure, and may be different from a general-purpose game provided by an external service. Therefore, game distribution in the present disclosure may be distinguished from distribution of a gameplay video of a general-purpose game provided by an external service along with a live commentary by the distribution user.

Alternatively, the request to start playing can be transmitted from the first user terminal 100 to the server device 400 by selecting a start play button located on a specific screen displayed on the first user terminal 100 of the first user.

Figure 9 shows an example of a screen G10 on which a play start button G11 is arranged as the above-mentioned predetermined screen. The screen G10 shown in Figure 9 is a screen transitioned to by selecting the game tab T15 from the top screen T10 (Figure 5) displayed on a user terminal that has launched an application realized by the information processing system of the present disclosure.

Screen G10 displays at least a play start button G11 that can send a request to start playing a specific game.

Then, when the game request receiving unit receives a request to start playing a specific game, the game video distribution unit distributes information about the second video to the second user terminal 200.

Here, the second video is a gameplay video of a specific game. In this specification, the distribution of such a video so that it is displayed on the screen of the second user terminal 200 is referred to as "game distribution."

Furthermore, after launching the application realized by the invention of the present disclosure, the user can, as the first user, send a request to start distribution of the second video to the information processing device 2400 by selecting a play start object placed on the game list screen and the game details screen.

These game list screens and game details screens are the first screens, which will be explained in detail below.

In other words, the game display processing unit performs display processing of a first screen including a distribution start object capable of sending a request to start distribution, a play start object capable of sending a request to start playing a specific game, and a thumbnail image of a video of a gameplay video of a specific game being distributed.

The screen G10 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the game list screen among the first screens. The first screen, which is the game list screen, is a screen transitioned to by selecting the game tab T15 from the top screen T10.

This first screen includes a distribution preparation button T22 as a distribution start object, a play start button G11 as a play start object, and a thumbnail image indicating the video distribution channel.

For each of the multiple playable games, the first screen displays a play start button G11, a game icon G12, the game name G13, the total number of viewers of the game's distribution channel G14, and a distribution list G15 that includes thumbnail images of the distribution channels currently distributing the game.

The order of thumbnail images displayed in the distribution list G15 displayed here can be different depending on the viewing user. As an example, the order is arranged in the following order of priority: most frequently viewed by the viewing user who is following the content, most frequently viewed by the viewing user, most frequently viewed by the cumulative number of viewers, and oldest distribution start date. The display range of thumbnail images in this distribution list G15 can be changed by scrolling horizontally.

The games displayed on this game list screen are the top 10 titles with the following priorities: As an example, the priorities are determined within 48 hours of the game distribution start date and time, in descending order of the date when the viewing user last played the game within the last 30 days, in descending order of the priority of the period ID.

This distribution list G15 is updated when you return from another tab screen or when you perform a pull-to-refresh operation.

Figure 10 corresponds to the game details screen of the first screen. The first screen, which is the game details screen, is G20, which is the screen transitioned to by selecting the game icon G12 or game name G13 displayed on the game list screen shown in Figure 9.

This first screen includes a distribution preparation button T22, which is a distribution start object, a play start button G21, which is a play start object, and a thumbnail image indicating the distribution channel for the video.

The first screen also displays a game icon G22, a game name G23, the total number of viewers of the game's distribution channel G24, and a distribution list G25 that includes thumbnail images of the distribution channels currently distributing the game.

The order of thumbnail images displayed in the distribution list G25 displayed here can be different depending on the viewing user. As an example, the order is arranged in the following order of priority: the most number of views by the viewing user who is following the images, the most cumulative number of viewers, and the oldest distribution start date. The display range of the thumbnail images in this distribution list G25 can be changed by vertical scrolling.

This distribution list G25 is updated when you return from another tab screen or when you perform a pull-to-refresh operation.

As described above, a user who selects the distribution start object (distribution preparation button T22) or the play start object (play start button G11, 21) becomes the first user to make a distribution start request or a play start request.

In addition, the user who selects the thumbnail image becomes the second user who watches the second video.

The first screen also includes a first area in which scrolling is not possible and a second area in which scrolling is possible.

The first screen referred to here is the first screen shown in FIG. 10. The first screen includes a first area R1 and a second area R2. Specifically, the game title is displayed in the first area R1, and the above-mentioned play start button G21, game icon G22, game name G23, number of viewers G24, and distribution list G25 are displayed in the second area R2.

The first region R1 is a portion that is fixedly displayed on the display screen and cannot be scrolled, while the second region R2 is a portion that can be scrolled by the user. By scrolling the second region R2, the user can check thumbnail images that are hidden outside the screen.

However, since there is a risk that the play start button G21 may be hidden off-screen by scrolling the second area, the display processing unit in this disclosure can display the play start object (play start button G21) in the first area R1 depending on the display state of the play start object (play start button G21) displayed in the second area R2.

As an example, in FIG. 10, the play start button G21 is displayed in the second region R2, but in FIG. 11, it is displayed in the first region R1. In other words, when part or all of the play start button G21 is no longer displayed in the second region R2, the play start button G21 appears in the first region.

The game display processing unit may also cause the play start object to be displayed in stages in the first area R1 depending on the display state of the play start object displayed in the second area R2.

This representation can be achieved by changing the transparency of the play start object in accordance with the amount of scrolling of the second region R2.

As an example, a scroll amount (unit: pixels) of 0 to 50 can correspond to a button transparency of 0.0 (completely transparent) to 1.0 (completely opaque). In this way, in the initial display state, the object is completely transparent and cannot be seen, but when the object is scrolled 50 pixels or more, it becomes completely visible. It is preferable to change the object's transparency linearly in this range (0 to 50). Note that the unit of the scroll amount is logical pixels, which may differ from the actual pixels on the display.

The game request receiving unit is also capable of receiving a request to end play of a specified game from the first user terminal 100 after the game video distribution unit has distributed information about the second video.

A request to end play can be sent by selecting the end button located on the game screen.

Then, when the game request receiving unit receives a request to end play of a specific game, the distribution starting unit can end the distribution of information about the second video and distribute information about the first video.

In other words, what is distributed here is not just a portion of the information in the first video, but all of the information in the first video.

Then, when the distribution starting unit ends the distribution of information about the second video and distributes information about the first video, it is the first video that is displayed on the second user terminal 200.

Next, we will explain the flow for starting to watch a video.

One or more processors in the present disclosure may further include a viewing reception unit.

The viewing reception unit accepts video viewing requests from users.

In response to a viewing request, the distribution start unit distributes video and audio information as video information to the user's information processing terminal.

Figure 12 shows an example of a viewing screen V10 of an avatar video displayed on the second user terminal 200.

A viewing user can post a comment by entering text in the comment input field V11 and pressing the send button V12.

In addition, by pressing the gift button V13, the viewing user can see a list of gifts (screen V30 in FIG. 13) and can send a display request for the specified gift by selecting it.

At this time, one or more processors in the present disclosure may include a determination unit. The determination unit determines whether or not a gift display request has been made from the second user terminal 200.

The display request may include gift object information. The gift object information includes at least gift object identification information that identifies the type of gift object, and location information that indicates the location where the gift object is to be displayed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, gifts can be displayed by category (free (paid) gifts, accessories, cheering goods, appeals, variety, etc.).

Here, a paid gift is a gift (coin gift) that can be purchased by spending coins purchased by the viewing user, and a free gift is a gift (point gift) that can be obtained by the viewing user with or without spending points obtained for free.

The term "gift" used in this application has the same concept as the term "token." Therefore, it is possible to understand the technology described in this application by replacing the term "gift" with the term "token."

In addition, the viewing user can post a favorable evaluation by pressing the like button V14. Note that in addition to/instead of the like button V14, it is also possible to display a button for posting a negative evaluation or other feelings.

In addition, if the first user has set the distribution settings to allow other users to appear, they can send a request to appear in the video by selecting the collaboration request button V15.

In addition, on the screen of a video distributed by a first user who is not yet being followed by a second user, a follow button V16 is displayed that allows the second user to follow the distribution user. This follow button functions as an unfollow button on the screen of a video distributed by a first user who is already being followed by the second user.

This "following" may be from a second user to another second user, from a first user to a second user, or from a first user to another first user. However, following is managed as a one-way association only, and associations in the reverse direction are managed separately as followers.

A photo button V25 for saving a still image of the screen may also be displayed.

The viewing screen V10 also displays a support ranking display button V17, a share button V18, and a ranking display button V19.

The support ranking displays the ranking of second users who are supporting the first user, and the ranking can be calculated based on the amount of the gift (points/coins), etc.

In addition, regarding sharing a video, the second user can press the share button V18 to check a list of SNS (social networking services) on which the video can be shared, and can send a fixed link to a specified location on a specified SNS by selecting it.

You can also request a collaboration broadcast from the first user by pressing the collaboration request button V15. A collaboration broadcast means having a character object of the second user appear in the video broadcast by the first user.

The upper part of the viewing screen V10 can display the broadcast user icon V21, the broadcast user name (character object name) V22, a cumulative number of viewers display V23, and a cumulative number of likes display V24.

In addition, when the End Viewing button V20 is selected, a screen for ending viewing appears, allowing the user to send a request to end viewing.

The screen for ending such viewing will be explained in detail below. This screen is called "small window audio distribution" and is used for viewing in a mode where only the audio is played without displaying the video image.

Selection of the above-mentioned viewing end button V20 is accepted by the viewing acceptance unit as a request to end viewing of the video.

At this time, the distribution starting unit ends the distribution of information about the video in response to the request to end viewing, but does not end the distribution of information about the audio.

When information related to video and audio is distributed to the user terminal, the video is displayed on the main screen of the user terminal, and when information related to audio only is distributed, the video is not displayed on the user terminal, but a sub-screen indicating that a video is being viewed is displayed.

Figure 14 shows an image of screen V50 on which the above-mentioned sub-screen V51 is displayed.

When this sub-screen V51 is displayed, the main screen displayed in the background transitions to the screen before watching the video. For example, if you move from the recommendation tab to the viewing frame, it will return to displaying the recommendation tab, and if you move from the follow tab to the viewing frame, it will transition to the follow tab.

When this sub-screen V51 is displayed, operations can be performed on the main screen, and transitions to other screens are possible.

The sub-screen V51 displays a profile picture, name, title, and an audio icon that visually indicates that audio is being played.

Then, viewing can be completely ended by selecting the end icon V52 displayed on the sub-screen V51.

When the video display is to be terminated, the server device may transmit information but not display it on the terminal, or the server device may stop transmitting information altogether.

With this configuration, you can search for other broadcasts or chat with other users while listening to only the audio.

Next, we will explain "collaboration," where other users appear in a video by a first user.

As described above, the second user can send a request to join the video by pressing the collaboration request button V15 shown in FIG. 12 and going through the collaboration broadcast participation request confirmation screen that is displayed.

In the present disclosure, a collaboration avatar display unit provided in one or more computer processors displays in a video a character object that is generated based on the movement of the viewing user who made the participation request in response to the received participation request.

Figure 15 shows, as an example, a viewing or distribution screen in which a second avatar CO4, a character object of a guest user, is participating in a video in which a first avatar CO3, a character object of a host user, is displayed. Note that the display of objects other than the avatars is omitted in Figure 15.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, a third avatar CO1, which is a character object generated based on the movement of another viewing user, may also participate in the video. Note that in FIG. 16, the third avatar CO1 is placed behind the first avatars CO3 and CO4's avatar A2, but the three may also be placed in a horizontal line. Also, the placement position of the avatars may be specified by the distribution user.

Figure 17 shows a list screen T30 of users who have mutual follow relationships, which is displayed by selecting the Follow tab T14 on the top screen shown in Figure 5. Mutual follow refers to a relationship in which two users follow each other.

This list screen T30 displays the profile images and names of users with whom you have a mutual follow relationship.

As shown in FIG. 17, the list screen T30 displays a first object T31 for each user who has a mutual follow relationship. In addition, a chat object T32 may be displayed together with the first object T31. By selecting this chat object, it is possible to transition to an individual chat screen with the second user.

The first object T31 sends a specified notification to the terminal of the user associated with the first object T31.

The specified notification may be, for example, a call notification.

Next, we will explain the details of the flow for performing a video chat in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As an example, users can conduct video chats from individual chat screens or group chat screens.

These chat screens can be accessed, for example, from the chat list screen C10 (Figure 18) that is expanded by selecting the message button T21 on the top screen T10 (Figure 5).

The chat list screen C10 shown in FIG. 18 displays icons of users (character objects) or groups who have sent and/or received messages (chats) in the past, along with their names or titles. Note that the group icons may include icons of users (character objects) who will join the group.

Then, the user can select a user or group on the chat list screen C10, open the personal chat screen C20 (Figure 19) or the group chat screen, and start a video chat by selecting the video chat button C21.

In addition, by selecting the chat creation button C12 or group creation button C13, which is displayed by selecting the edit button C11 on the chat list screen C10 (Figure 20), a chat screen can be created for a user or group that is not displayed on the chat list screen C10.

Figure 21 shows the user selection screen C30 that opens when the chat creation button C12 is selected, and a chat screen with the displayed recommended users or with a user searched for using the search field C31 is displayed/generated. The configuration of the generated chat screen is the same as the chat screen C20 shown in Figure 19, and a video chat can be started by selecting the video chat button C21.

Similarly, FIG. 22 shows a group creation screen C40 that opens when the group creation button C13 is selected. The user can add users other than themselves as group members by selecting the user addition button C41. As an example, the number of group members that can be added is up to seven. The group name can also be set on this screen.

Once a group is created, the group chat screen C50 is displayed (Figure 23). On the group chat screen C50, you can also start a video chat by selecting the video chat button C51.

The chat screen C20 can also be accessed from the chat object T32 on the follow list screen T30 (Figure 17).

Chat icons can also be placed on other users' profile screens, allowing users to move to the chat screen from various pages and start video chats.

When a video chat starts, a notification is sent to the other party, who can join the video chat by responding to the notification. Users can set whether or not they want to receive such notifications.

Also, a configuration may be adopted in which video chats can only be conducted with users who are mutually followed. In this case, an icon indicating that a user who is mutually followed is currently video chatting with another user may be displayed on the follow list screen, and a user may be able to participate in the ongoing video chat by selecting the icon.

The video chat in this disclosure can be said to be a function that allows only specific users to view the above-mentioned collaborative distribution. The specific users here refer to the users who are participating in the video chat.

Next, we will explain the image of the expansion of virtual space in this disclosure with reference to Figure 24.

As shown as an example in FIG. 24, the virtual space in this embodiment is arranged so that a disk-shaped island (world) is floating in the air. This island is an object that resembles an upside-down tower-shaped cake, and various objects can be arranged on the disk-shaped ground. Note that this island and ground are shown as examples, and their display forms are not particularly limited.

The objects that can be displayed are at least the character object CO of the first user, a gift object G1 corresponding to a gift requested to be displayed by the second user, and an object S1 whose display position and display timing are controlled by the server device 400 (system side).

It is possible for a character object to move and jump within the world through user operation, and such functionality can be provided, as an example, as one of the games described above. In this disclosure, this is specifically referred to as "world distribution," and the above-mentioned game distribution start and end procedures are applied.

Specifically, switching from normal streaming (avatar streaming) to world streaming can be performed by selecting the play button D33 (Fig. 8) of the game displayed in the avatar streaming video, or the play button G11, G21 (Figs. 9, 10) of a game selected from a list of games displayed on the screen transitioned to by selecting the play button D33.

You can also switch from world streaming to avatar streaming by selecting the end play button displayed on the world streaming video.

Next, various functions that can be executed in the information processing system 3000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings.

The information processing system 3000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be, as an example, an information processing system that provides a virtual space in which a user's character object can be displayed.

Such a virtual space is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of displaying the user's character object.

The one or more computer processors included in the information processing system 3000 include a reception unit 410, a distribution unit 420, a generation unit 430, and a transmission unit 440, as shown as an example in FIG. 25.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned reception unit 410, distribution unit 420, generation unit 430 and transmission unit 440 are all described as being included in the server device 400, but this is not limited to the above.

The reception unit 410 receives information sent from the first user terminal 100 of the first user and/or the second user terminal 200 of the second user.

Here, the first user is a broadcasting user, and the first user terminal 100 is an information processing device of the broadcasting user.

Similarly, the second user is a viewing user, and the second user terminal 200 is an information processing device of the viewing user.

The information transmitted from the first user terminal 100 includes any information transmitted from the first user terminal 100.

As an example, the information transmitted from the first user terminal 100 includes information for displaying a character object such as the first user's motion data and voice data, requests to display various screens, and other operation information.

In addition, the information transmitted from the second user terminal 200 includes any information transmitted from the second user terminal 200 to the server device 400.

As an example, the information sent from the second user terminal 200 includes requests to display gifts, comments, etc., and other operation information, etc.

The distribution unit 420 transmits information about the video including the character object of the first user to the second user terminal 200, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal 200.

As described above, the information about the video including the first user's character object includes motion information indicating the movement of the character object, audio information about the first user, and gift object information indicating gifts sent by viewing users (the second user or other users).

The generation unit 430 generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user.

The history information can be stored in a memory unit that may be provided in the information processing system 3000, a storage device that may be connected to the information processing system 3000, or a memory unit that may be provided in the first user terminal 100 or the second user terminal 200.

The history information stored in association with the first user may, for example, be a history of the first user's actions and/or a history of actions taken by a second user on the first user's video.

An action of the first user is, for example, participation in an event by the first user.

An event is an event related to the score during video distribution that a broadcasting user can participate in, and can be broadly divided into three types: ranking type, score achievement type, and score achievement ranking type.

The score is determined by the number of coins and points required for the viewing user to deposit (make a display request) the gifts acquired during the distribution of the video. As an example, the score can be calculated as follows: number of coins of gifts acquired during the distribution of the video x 10 + number of points of gifts acquired during the distribution of the video x 1.

A ranking-type event is an event in which a ranking of broadcasting users is created based on the cumulative scores each broadcasting user has earned over a specified period of time (e.g., the event period), and rewards are awarded to the top several users.

A score achievement event is an event in which a reward is awarded on the condition that the cumulative score earned by each broadcast user over a specified period of time reaches a predetermined value.

Score achievement ranking type events are events in which rewards are awarded if the cumulative score earned by each broadcasting user over a specified period of time reaches a set value, and in addition, a ranking of broadcasting users is created based on that cumulative score, with further rewards awarded to the top several users.

When the server device 400 receives a request to participate in a specific event from the first user terminal 100, it associates the first user with the specific event and stores it as a participation history of the event. Note that the participation history here includes at least information about the event in which the first user is currently participating.

The history of the first user's actions may also include the first user specifying a gift that he or she desires (a requested gift).

The desired gift can be specified from the distribution setting screen D20, etc., and the first user can specify the gift ID, gift theme color, gift theme number, etc.

An action by a second user on a video of a first user is, for example, a request by the second user to display a gift on the video of the first user.

When the server device 400 receives a gift display request from the second user terminal 200, it stores the number of display requests for each gift type (each object ID) as gift history.

The gift history referred to here may be a compilation of videos currently being watched by the second user, or may be a compilation of all videos previously watched by the first user.

Here, Figure 26 shows a conventional example of an object display frame that is displayed on the second user terminal 200 together with a video.

In Figure 26, buttons and objects other than the avatars displayed in the video have been omitted as they have been described above.

As shown in FIG. 26, the object display frame V30 is displayed together with the video on the viewing screen V10. Note that "displayed together with the video" includes a mode in which the video and the object display frame V30 are displayed separately, as well as a mode in which the object display frame V30 is displayed superimposed on the video.

In this way, the object display frame V30 is a display frame for the second user to request the display of an object (gift). In other words, the object display frame V30 corresponds to the gift list screen V30 shown in FIG. 13.

Also, as shown in FIG. 26, in the object display frame V30, objects can be displayed in separate tabs according to their classification (free (paid), accessories, standard, user-created, etc.).

The object display data is data that defines the position, order, and/or display format in which objects are displayed in the object display frame V30.

Alternatively, the object display data may be image data in which objects are arranged for display in such object display frame V30.

Here, as shown in the conventional example in FIG. 26, when object display data is not generated based on history information, the display position, display order, and/or display mode of objects in the object display frame V30 displayed on a second user terminal basically do not change except for system reasons such as adding, changing, or deleting objects.

In addition, when the object display data is not generated based on historical information, the display position, display order, and/or display mode of the objects in the object display frame V30 displayed on each of the multiple second user terminals will basically be the same.

On the other hand, when object display data is generated based on historical information, as in the invention disclosed herein, the display position, display order, and/or display mode of the objects in the object display frame displayed on a second user terminal may change.

In addition, when object display data is generated based on historical information, as in the invention of the present disclosure, the display positions, display order, and/or display modes of objects in the object display frame V30 displayed on each of the multiple second user terminals may differ from one another.

Figure 27 shows an example of an object display frame V30 displayed according to object display data generated based on history information.

In FIG. 27, the top position of the object display frame V30 is set to a first position, and according to the configuration of the invention in this disclosure, it is possible to display, in this first position, objects corresponding to gifts that a first user needs/wants to be cast and/or that a second user wishes to cast, in a manner that is easy for the second user to understand.

For example, the generation unit 430 identifies target objects that are to be subject to specific display control from among the objects displayed in the object display frame V30 based on the history information.

A specific display control is, for example, displaying the target object in a first position within the object display frame.

In this way, the generation unit 430 can generate object display data for performing the above-mentioned specific display control.

Then, in response to a display request for the object display frame V30 from the second user terminal 200 received by the reception unit 410, the transmission unit 440 transmits the object display data generated by the generation unit 430 to the second user terminal 200.

This causes an object display frame V30 in which the object is displayed to be displayed on the second user terminal 200.

In the above description, the generation unit 430 generates the object display data before the second user terminal 200 requests the object display frame V30 to be displayed, but the generation may be performed after the display request.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Specifically, the configuration of the present disclosure can increase the willingness of broadcasting users to broadcast, the willingness of viewing users to watch, and/or the willingness of users to interact with each other.

Previously, some broadcast users may need/want certain gifts, but viewing users would have to search for the corresponding gifts for each broadcast user, which was very time-consuming as it required users to find the corresponding gifts from a huge list of gifts. In particular, on devices with small displays such as smartphones, a large number of gifts results in a lot of scrolling. This led to concerns that viewing users would be less willing to give gifts.

However, according to the configuration of the present disclosure described above, the objects (list of gifts) displayed in the object display frame displayed on the viewing user terminal are based on object display data generated based on historical information, making it easier to find the desired gift than before, and increasing motivation to give gifts.

And an increase in the number of giftings leads to increased motivation from streamers to continue streaming and improved video quality.

In addition, users are more willing to watch high quality videos, and an increase in the number of viewers further increases users' willingness to distribute.

In addition, by bringing together users who are highly motivated to use and distribute, it also leads to more active interaction between users.

Next, we will provide a detailed explanation of the history information stored in association with the first user.

The history information stored in association with the first user may include information regarding a participation history associated with the first user and a given event.

As described above, when the server device 400 receives a request to participate in a specific event from the first user terminal 100, it associates the first user with the specific event and stores this as a participation history for the event.

As a general rule, there is one specific event associated with a first user, but multiple events may be associated.

By using such history information, the gifts that the first user needs to achieve the target score in the event can be displayed in the object display frame V30 displayed on the second user terminal 200 in a manner that makes it easier for the second user to find them.

The history information stored in association with the first user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal 200 to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user.

As described above, a request to display a specific object is, for example, a request by a second user to display a gift on a video of a first user.

Note that the second user here can refer to all viewing users who watch the first video.

When a gift display request is received from the second user terminal 200, the server device 400 stores the number of display requests and/or the time at which the display requests were received as a history for each type of gift (each object ID). Note that the history referred to here may be related to a video that the second user is currently watching, or may be related to all videos of the first user that the second user has previously watched.

By using such history information, the object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 can display the most frequently and most recently donated gifts from all viewing users who watch the first user's video in a way that makes it easy for the second user to find them.

In addition, gifts that are frequently given to a first user's video by viewing users are often gifts that the first user wishes to be given in the video, so even if the first user does not make a comment in the video, or even if the second user misses a comment, the second user can know the gift that the first user wishes to receive simply by checking the object display frame V30 displayed on his or her own device.

Also, by making the most recently thrown gifts easier to find, it becomes possible to throw specific gifts in succession at the right time. This is useful in cases where throwing specific gifts in succession at the right time results in a special gift object appearing.

Next, we will provide a detailed explanation of the history information stored in association with the second user.

The history information stored in association with the second user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal 200 to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user.

A request to display a specific object is, for example, a request by a second user to display a gift on a video of a first user.

When a gift display request is received from the second user terminal 200, the server device 400 stores the number of display requests and/or the time at which the display requests were received as history for each type of gift (each object ID). Note that the history referred to here may be related to the video that the second user is currently watching, or may be related to all first user videos that the second user has previously watched.

By using such history information, the object display frame V30 displayed on the second user terminal 200 can easily display the gifts that the user has given most frequently to the first user's videos and the gifts that the user has given most recently.

The history information stored in association with the second user may include information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal 200 to display a specific object in any video, including a video associated with the first user.

A request to display a specific object is, for example, a request by a second user to display a gift on a video of a given user.

When a gift display request is received from the second user terminal 200, the server device 400 stores the number of display requests and/or the time at which the display requests were received as history for each type of gift (each object ID). Note that the history referred to here may be related to the video that the second user is currently watching, or may be related to all videos that the second user has previously watched.

By using this history information, the gifts that a user has given to a video the most and the most recent gifts can be displayed in an easy-to-find manner in the object display frame V30 displayed on the second user terminal 200.

As described above, the generation unit 430 can identify target objects that are to be subject to specific display control from among the objects displayed in the object display frame V30 based on the history information.

The object identified by the generation unit 430 can be associated with a specific object and stored in a specified storage unit, as shown in FIG. 28 as an example.

Note that while FIG. 28 shows an example in which there is one target object, there may be multiple objects identified.

Then, the generation unit 430 can generate object display data that displays the target object at a first position V31 within the object display frame V30.

The first position V31 in the object display frame V30 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position that can be distinguished from other objects, but as an example, it can be the position shown in Figures 27, 29-30.

Figure 29 is an illustration showing the case where the first position V31 is the top position of each tab.

As shown in Figure 29, the target object is displayed at the top of the tab for the category to which the object belongs.

Figure 27 is an image diagram showing the case where the first position V31 is the upper position of the object display frame V30, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 27, a row for displaying the target object is provided at the top of the object display frame V30, and the target object is displayed in this row.

Figure 30 is an illustration showing a case where the first position V31 is a position within a specific tab in the object display frame V30.

As shown in FIG. 30, specific tabs are provided in the object display frame V30, and the target object is displayed within the specific tab.

Alternatively, the generation unit 430 can generate object display data that displays the target object in the object display frame V30 in a manner different from other objects.

Figure 31 shows an example in which a specific mark V32 (for example, a star-shaped mark) is added to the target object, and the target object is displayed so as to be distinguished from other objects. It is also possible to add a tag such as "I want it!" to the target object.

Figure 32 shows an example in which a frame V33 is added to the target object, making it easier to distinguish from other objects.

In addition, when multiple operations are required to make a display request for an object (for example, when a target object is selected by tapping and a display request is made by tapping the selected target object again), the generation unit 430 may generate object display data that is displayed in the object display frame V30 with the target object already selected (initial selection state). With this configuration, the number of operations required to make a display request can be reduced.

Based on the history information, the generation unit 430 can identify a certain number of different specific objects in the immediate vicinity to which a display request has been sent from the second user terminal 200 as target objects.

The predetermined number of different objects in the immediate vicinity for which a display request is sent from the second user terminal 200 can be rephrased as, for example, gifts recently sent by the second user in response to the video.

For example, as shown in FIG. 33, if a second user sends three sushi gifts, five rabbit stuffed animal gifts, and two small teddy bear gifts to a video in that order, the sushi gifts, the rabbit stuffed animal gifts, and the small teddy bear gifts can be identified as target objects and displayed at the first position V31.

In the first position V31, the left side is assumed to be the most recent.

At this time, the first location V31 functions as a gift sending history column.

Also, as a variant, as shown in FIG. 34, the top line of the history tab can be a display column V34 of a predetermined number of objects (three in FIG. 34) that the viewing user most recently sent to any video not related to the distribution user, and the second line and on can be a display column V35 of a predetermined number of objects (three in FIG. 34) that were most recently sent to the viewing distribution user.

The generation unit 430 can generate object display data that associates the number of times display requests for a specific object were sent at one time with the target object based on the history information.

As an example, the second user can send multiple display requests for a single object by tapping or long pressing an object displayed in the object display frame multiple times within a specified period of time.

In the above configuration, for example, if a second user sends one sushi gift, five rabbit stuffed animal gifts, and two small teddy bear gifts in that order to a video, the rabbit stuffed animal gift and the small teddy bear gift will be associated with a frequency object V36 of five times and two times, respectively, and displayed, as shown in FIG. 35.

When you select this number object V36, you can send multiple display requests with a single selection.

The reception unit 410 can further receive specification information for objects and/or object attributes sent from the first user terminal 100 and/or the second user terminal 200.

Such specification information can be set from the distribution setting screen D20, etc., and the first user can specify the gift ID, gift theme color, gift theme number, etc.

Such designation may be made by the first user or the second user. The designation information designated by the first user applies to all second users, and the designation information designated by the second user applies only to the first user. The gift designated by the first user may be called a begging gift.

In the above example, colors and numbers are used as examples of attribute specification information, but gift price ranges, popularity, etc. may also be used as specification information.

The generation unit 430 identifies the specified object based on the specification information.

When a gift ID is specified, one gift with that gift ID is identified. Similarly, when a gift theme color, for example "black", is specified, one or more gifts associated with the color information of black are identified. Furthermore, when a theme number, for example "8", is specified, one or more gifts associated with the number information of 8 are identified.

The generating unit 430 can then generate object display data that displays the specified object in a second position within the object display frame, or that displays the specified object in a manner different from other objects within the object display frame.

The second position may be the same as the first position described above, or may be a different position. For example, it may be a position different from the first position described above in the same object display frame, or it may be displayed in an object display frame of a different tab.

Next, we will explain in detail the case where the history information stored in association with a first user is information about a history that associates the first user with a specific event.

The one or more computer processors in this disclosure may further include a determination unit 450, as shown in FIG. 36.

The determination unit 450 determines whether a specific event is associated with the first user.

When the determination unit 450 determines that a specific event is associated with the first user, the generation unit 430 generates display information regarding a required value that is necessary for a parameter value associated with the first user for the specific event to reach a specific value.

As an example, the parameter value may be a value (such as the score described above) that increases based on the number and/or value of requests to display an object in a video sent from the second user terminal 200.

If the event is a score achievement type, the specified value is a value that is predefined for the specified event.

On the other hand, if the event is a ranking type, the specified value is the value required to achieve a specified rank (first place or the lowest rank at which a reward is awarded) in the specified event. Therefore, the specified value in this case is a value that varies depending on the parameter values associated with other users associated with the specified event.

The required value is calculated by taking the difference between a predetermined value and the parameter value.

In addition, at this time, since the required value also changes sequentially in response to changes in the parameters of the first user and the parameters of the other distribution users, the generation unit 430 may update the display information in real time in response to changes in the required number.

Note that changing the required values for ranking changes in real time may result in a high load, so it may be better to use rank or status, which do not change in small increments.

Then, the transmission unit 440 transmits the display information to the second user terminal 200.

Note that FIG. 37 shows an image of the viewing screen V10 on the second user terminal 200 on which a video including display information is displayed.

In this way, the generation unit 430 can display the required value V41 as display information.

In Figure 37, the required value V41 is displayed in the video along with an event icon V40 indicating participation in the event.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 38, the generation unit 430 can calculate the number of points required to make the required value 0, and display the required number V42 as the display information.

Note that the required number of points referred to here will be calculated based on either the coins purchased by the user or the points obtained for free, as described above.

For example, if the required value is 200,000, it will be converted into 20,000 coins and 200,000 points.

Alternatively, the generation unit 430 can determine the type of required object to make the required value 0, calculate the number of required objects required to make the required value 0, and display the type and number of required objects V43 as display information.

Note that a specific example of how to determine the necessary objects to make the required value 0 will be described later, but the number can be the smallest number such that the required value is less than or equal to the value of the object x the number of objects.

The type of object may also be changed as appropriate so that the value x number of objects does not exceed the required value more than necessary. For example, something that is initially converted into a high-value gift such as a tower cake may eventually be converted into a low-value gift such as a small bear as the required value approaches 0.

However, if the event is a ranking-based event, it is better to always display high-value gifts. In ranking-based events, other users will also increase their own scores, so it is preferable to accumulate scores so that the required value exceeds 0 and becomes negative.

As shown in FIG. 39, for example, if the required score is 200,000, it is calculated that 200 "small bears," which are gifts worth 100 coins, are required, and the type and number V43 of such objects can be displayed in the video.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 40, if the required score is 500,000, it is calculated that "5" "Tower Cakes", which are gifts worth 10,000 coins, are required, and the type and number V43 of such objects can be displayed in the video.

At this time, the display information may be displayed in the object display frame V30 as shown in FIG. 41. In the example shown in FIG. 41, the display information is displayed in association with the corresponding object. Note that the display information displayed in the video and the display information displayed in the object display frame may be displayed together, or when the display information is displayed in the object display frame V30, it may not be displayed in the video.

The above number will be updated in real time, decreasing each time a required object is thrown.

Then, the generation unit 430 can determine the type of object required to set the required value to 0 based on the history information.

As described above, the history information includes gift-related history, so as an example, the required object can be the object with the greatest number of gifts requested to be displayed for the first user's video based on the gift history.

Alternatively, the required object can be the most recently requested video of the first user based on the gift history.

Alternatively, the required object can be the most expensive video requested to be displayed for the first user based on the gift history.

Alternatively, event-specific gifts can be required objects based on event history.

Alternatively, the required object can be the begging gift mentioned above.

The generation unit 430 can determine the type of object required to set the required value to 0 based on the number of second user terminals 200.

For example, if there are a large number of second user terminals, a small amount of object is determined as the required object. This small amount includes free objects.

Conversely, if the number of second user terminals is small, high-value objects are determined to be required objects.

The number of viewers displayed is the cumulative number of viewers, but in this case it is determined based on the number of simultaneous viewers. The number of simultaneous viewers is obtained by the server device 400.

The generation unit 430 can further generate information for displaying a batch object on the second user terminal 200, which allows a display request for the required number of required objects to be sent in a batch.

Figure 42 shows an example in which a batch transmission object V44 for accepting such a batch display request is displayed.

When such a bulk transmission object V44 is selected, as an example, display requests for five objects can be sent with a single selection.

This configuration can save the second user time and effort when they want to send multiple gifts.

The reception unit 410 receives a provisional display request for the necessary objects from the second user terminal 200, and when the number of such provisional display requests reaches number, it can regard the display requests for number of necessary objects as having been received all at once.

Figure 43 shows an example in which a participation object V45 is displayed to accept such a provisional display request.

The second user may select as many of these participating objects V45 as he or she desires, or may select them only once.

The required number displayed on the participating object V45 is gradually decreased by selection by one or more second users. When the required number reaches 0, a display request for the gift object is transmitted to the server device.

Note that coins are not deducted when a provisional display request is made, and when the required number of provisional display requests are received, coins are deducted and a gift display request is sent to the server device 400.

This configuration eliminates the disadvantage to the second user when the required number of gifts is not collected, and reduces the risk of second users refraining from donating gifts.

The determination unit 450 shown in FIG. 36 may also determine whether the number of points associated with the second user is sufficient.

If the determination unit 450 determines that the number of points is insufficient to the required number, the transmission unit 440 transmits information to the second user terminal 200 to display an object that serves as a guide to a screen that performs the process of increasing the points.

The object that serves as a guide to the screen for performing the process to increase points can be a purchase object V46 for transitioning to a coin purchase screen, as shown as an example in FIG. 44.

This purchase object V46 may be displayed regardless of the result of the judgment unit 450, but in that case, if the judgment unit 450 judges that the number of points is insufficient to meet the required number, the transition destination screen is configured to allow the user to easily purchase the missing coins.

Figure 45 shows an example of a coin purchase screen. As shown at the bottom of Figure 45, normally coins can only be purchased in predetermined units, but in the present invention, it is possible to purchase coins in a lump sum for the amount equal to the shortfall. As an example, Figure 45 shows a purchase object V46 for purchasing 3000C in a lump sum when the shortfall is 3000C.

When the above purchase object V46 is selected by the second user, 3000C is stored in association with the second user in exchange for the second user's payment of 3000 yen.

Then, by selecting the batch transmission object V44 from the object display frame V30 shown in FIG. 42 etc., a request to transmit the objects related to the video is transmitted to the server device 400.

The above configuration provides a clear path to the coin purchase screen, and can prevent second users from refraining from donating gifts due to a lack of coins.

Next, we will explain the screen transitions that occur when a second user selects the event icon V40 displayed in the video.

When the second user selects the event icon V40 in the video, the viewing screen V10 transitions to an event screen V60, an example of which is shown in FIG. 46.

The event screen V60 is configured so that the information displayed can be switched using the event details tab and score tab.

The information displayed in the score tab will show at the top the score of the first user who is the distributor of the video being viewed by the second user, and below that the scores of the other users will be displayed in order of ranking. Alternatively, the scores of all users participating in the event may be displayed in order of ranking, with the first user who is the distributor of the video being viewed by the second user being highlighted.

As shown in FIG. 46, a display field V61 is displayed that displays information about the required values described above along with the scores of each user. Details of the display content of the display field V61 will be described later.

The second user can then select this display field V61 to request the display of gifts via the event screen V60 as well.

Here, the details of the display contents of the display field V61 shown in FIG. 46 are shown as examples in FIG. 47 and FIG. 48.

In the example shown in FIG. 47, a required object (tower cake gift) indicating the type of gift required for a user to come in first in a ranking-type event and the required number (5 pieces) are displayed in display field V61.

When the second user selects the display field V61, a request to display one tower cake gift is sent to the server device.

In the example shown in FIG. 48, the display field V61 displays a required object (tower cake gift) and the required number (5 pieces) indicating the type of gift required for the user's score to achieve a specified condition in the event.

The difference from the example shown in FIG. 47 is that when such a display field V61 is selected by the second user, a provisional display request for one tower cake gift is sent to the server device.

A temporary display request for one tower cake gift is sent to the server device only when the required number of temporary display requests are received.

Such a display field V61 may be displayed only at the position corresponding to the first user shown in FIG. 46, or may be displayed at positions corresponding to all users participating in the event, or may be displayed only at the position corresponding to the user currently broadcasting.

At this time, even if a display field V61 of a user other than the first user is selected by a second user who is watching a video of a first user, a request to display a gift for the video of that other user may not be sent.

Alternatively, when a display field V61 of a user other than the first user is selected by a second user while watching a video of a first user, a request to display a gift for the video of that other user may be transmitted.

The above configuration makes it easier for the second user to find the required object, which leads to increased motivation to gift.

The above explanation is based on the assumption that the second user throws a gift that corresponds to a required object displayed in the video, but of course the second user can also freely throw objects other than the required object.

Even in this case, the required value and required number will naturally decrease, but if the type and number of required objects are displayed as display information, it is important to note that such numbers may not correspond one-to-one with the numbers of the other objects mentioned above.

In addition, a special effect may be displayed in the video when the second user casts a required object compared to when the second user casts another object.

The above configuration can further increase the second user's motivation to cast the required object.

In the above explanation, an example was given in which the video was a solo broadcast by a first user, but the invention of this disclosure can also be applied to videos that are collaboratively broadcast.

In this collaborative distribution, the object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 can be the same as that in the case of the solo distribution described above. In this case, the first user is the host user of the collaborative distribution.

Alternatively, in this collaborative distribution, the object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 can be different from that in the solo distribution described above.

For example, multiple object display frames may be provided on the second user terminal 200 based on object display data generated for each user (host user and guest user) appearing in the collaborative broadcast.

Alternatively, a single object display frame may be displayed on the second user terminal 200, and multiple tabs may be provided based on object display data generated for each user appearing in the collaborative broadcast.

With the above configuration, viewers can more easily give appropriate gifts to each user appearing in a collaborative video.

Next, we will explain the information processing method in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 49, one or more computer processors are caused to execute a receiving step S410, a distributing step S420, a generating step S430, a determining step S435, and a sending step S440.

In the reception step S410, information sent from the first user terminal 100 of the first user and/or the second user terminal 200 of the second user is received.

Such reception step S410 can be executed by the reception unit 410 described above.

The reception step S410 may be executed on the server side (server device 400).

In the distribution step S420, information about the video including the character object of the first user is sent to the second user terminal 200, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal.

Such distribution step S420 can be executed by the distribution unit 420 described above.

The delivery step S420 may be executed on the server side (server device 400).

In the generation step S430, object display data is generated based on the history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 together with the video.

Such generation step S430 can be executed by the generation unit 430 described above.

The generation step S430 may be executed on the server side (server device 400). Alternatively, the generation step S430 may be executed on the client side (first user terminal 100 or second user terminal 200).

In the determination step S435, it is determined whether or not a request to display the object display frame has been received from the second user terminal 200.

The determination step S435 may be executed on the server side (server device 400). Alternatively, the determination step S435 may be executed on the client side (second user terminal 200).

In the transmission step S440, in response to a display request for the object display frame, the object display data generated in the generation step S430 is transmitted to the second user terminal 200.

Such transmission step S440 can be executed by the transmission unit 440 described above.

The sending step S440 may be executed on the server side (server device 400).

When the above generating step S430 and determining step S435 are executed on the client side, the data transmission and reception in the receiving step S410 and the sending step S440 can be performed within each client.

Also, as shown in FIG. 50, the generation step S430 may be performed after the determination step S435.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Next, we will explain the computer program in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The computer program in the embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that it causes one or more computer processors to realize a reception function, a distribution function, a generation function, and a transmission function.

The reception function accepts information sent from the first user terminal 100 of the first user and/or the second user terminal 200 of the second user.

The distribution function transmits information about a video including the first user's character object to the second user terminal 200, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal 200.

The generation function generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal 200 together with the video, based on historical information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user.

The transmission function transmits the object display data generated by the generation function to the second user terminal 200 in response to a display request for an object display frame from the second user terminal 200 accepted by the acceptance function.

The above functions can be realized by the reception circuit 1410, distribution circuit 1420, generation circuit 1430, and transmission circuit 1440 shown in FIG. 51. The reception circuit 1410, distribution circuit 1420, generation circuit 1430, and transmission circuit 1440 are realized by the reception unit 410, distribution unit 420, generation unit 430, and transmission unit 440 described above, respectively. Details of each unit are as described above.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Next, an information processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The information processing device corresponds to the second user terminal 200 in the information processing system 3000 described above.

The one or more computer processors included in the information processing device include a receiving unit 210, a generating unit 220, and a display unit 230, as shown in FIG. 52.

The receiving unit 210 receives information about a video including a character object of the first user from the server device 400.

The generation unit 220 generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user terminal 100 and/or the information processing device of the first user.

The generating unit 220 may have a configuration similar to that of the generating unit 430 described above.

In response to a request to display the object display frame, the display unit 230 displays the object display frame generated based on the object display data generated by the generation unit 220 together with the video.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Next, an example of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. This information processing method is executed in the information processing device (second user terminal 200) described above.

The information processing method is characterized in that, as shown as an example in FIG. 53, one or more computer processors execute a receiving step S210, a generating step S220, a determining step S230, and a displaying step S240.

In the receiving step S210, information regarding the video including the character object of the first user is received from the server device 400.

Such receiving step S210 can be executed by the receiving unit 210 described above.

In the generation step S220, object display data is generated, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user terminal 100 and/or information processing device of the first user.

Such generation step S220 can be executed by the generation unit 220 described above.

In decision step S230, it is determined whether a request to display the object display frame has been made.

In the display step S240, in response to a request to display the object display frame, the object display frame generated based on the object display data generated in the generation step is displayed together with the video.

Such display step S240 can be executed by the display unit 240 described above.

The generation step S220 may also be performed after the determination step S230.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Next, a computer program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Such a computer program is executed in the information processing device (second user terminal 200) described above.

The computer program disclosed herein is characterized in that it causes one or more processors included in an information processing device to realize a receiving function, a generating function, and a display function.

The receiving function receives information about a video including the first user's character object from the server device 400.

The generation function generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user terminal 100 and/or information processing device of the first user.

The display function responds to a request to display an object display frame by displaying the object display frame together with a video, the object display frame being generated based on the object display data generated by the generation function.

The above functions can be realized by the receiving circuit 1210, the generating circuit 1220, and the display circuit 1230 shown in FIG. 54. The receiving circuit 1210, the generating circuit 1220, and the display circuit 1230 are realized by the receiving unit 210, the generating unit 220, and the display unit 230 described above, respectively. Details of each unit are as described above.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

In addition, an information processing device such as a computer or a mobile phone can be suitably used to function as the server device or terminal device according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Such an information processing device can be realized by storing a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the server device or terminal device according to the embodiments in a memory unit of the information processing device, and reading and executing the program by the CPU of the information processing device.

FIG. 55 is a block diagram of a processing circuit for performing computer-based operations in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 55 shows a processing circuit 600, which corresponds to the CPU of the terminals and devices in the present disclosure.

The processing circuit 600 can be used to control any computer-based and cloud-based control process, and the flowchart descriptions or blocks can be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code that include one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or step in a process, and alternative implementations are included within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present advancement in which the functions may be performed. The order from that shown or discussed includes substantially simultaneous or reverse order depending on the functionality involved, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The functionality of the elements disclosed herein can be implemented using circuits or processing circuits that may include general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs ("application specific integrated circuits"), conventional circuits configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functions, and/or combinations thereof. A processor processes circuits or circuits to include transistors and other circuits therein. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory. In this disclosure, a processing circuit, unit, or means is hardware that performs or is programmed to perform the recited functions. The hardware can be any hardware disclosed herein or any other known hardware that is programmed or configured to perform the recited functions.

In FIG. 43, the processing circuit 600 includes a CPU 601 that executes one or more control processes discussed in this disclosure. Process data and instructions may be stored in memory 602. These processes and instructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk 604, such as a hard drive (HDD) or a portable storage medium, or may be stored remotely. Furthermore, the claimed advancement is not limited by the form of the computer-readable medium on which the instructions of the processes of the invention are stored. For example, the instructions may be stored on a CD, DVD, flash memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium of an information processing device with which the processing circuit 600 communicates, such as a server or computer. The processes may also be stored in network-based storage, cloud-based storage, or other mobile-accessible storage and executable by the processing circuit 600.

Furthermore, the claimed developments may be provided as a utility application, a background daemon, or an operating system component, or combinations thereof, and execute in conjunction with the CPU 601 and an operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX, Apple MAC-OS, Apple iOS, and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

The hardware elements for implementing the processing circuit 600 may be implemented by various circuit elements. Also, each function of the above-described embodiments may be implemented by a circuit including one or more processing circuits. The processing circuit includes a specifically programmed processor, for example, processor (CPU) 601 as shown in FIG. 43. The processing circuit also includes devices such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the enumerated functions.

Alternatively or additionally, CPU 601 may be implemented on an FPGA, an ASIC, a PLD, or using discrete logic circuitry, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. CPU 601 may also be realized as multiple processors operating in parallel and in coordination to execute the instructions of the inventive process described above.

The processing circuit 600 of FIG. 43 also includes a network controller 606, such as an Ethernet PRO network interface card, for interfacing with the network 700. As can be appreciated, the network 700 can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or any combination thereof, and can include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or an integrated services digital network (ISDN) sub-network. The network 700 can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, a universal serial bus (USB) cable, or wireless, such as a cellular network, including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be Wi-Fi, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or any other form of wireless communication known in the art. Additionally, the network controller 606 may be compliant with other direct communication standards, such as Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), infrared, or other.

The processing circuit 600 further includes a display controller 608, such as a graphics card or graphics adapter, for interfacing with a display 609, such as a monitor. The I/O interface 612 interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse 614, as well as a touch screen panel 616 on or separate from the display 609. The I/O interface 612 also connects to various peripheral devices 618.

The storage controller 624 connects the storage media disks 604 to a communication bus 626, which may be ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, or the like, and interconnects all components of the processing circuit 600. A description of the display 609, keyboard and/or mouse 614, as well as the general features and functionality of the display controller 608, storage controller 624, network controller 606, and I/O interface 612 is omitted herein for the sake of brevity, as these features are well known.

The exemplary circuit elements described in the context of this disclosure may be substituted with other elements and may be of different structure than the examples provided herein. Furthermore, circuits configured to perform the functions described herein may be implemented in multiple circuit units (e.g., chips) or features may be combined in circuits on a single chipset.

The functions and features described herein may also be performed by various distributed components of the system. For example, one or more processors may perform these system functions, where the processors are distributed across multiple components that communicate within a network. The distributed components may include one or more client and server machines that may share processing, as well as various human interface and communication devices (e.g., display monitors, smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs)). The network may be a private network, such as a LAN or WAN, or a public network, such as the Internet. Input to the system may be received via direct user input, remotely in real time or as a batch process. Additionally, some implementations may be performed on modules or hardware that are not identical to those described. Thus, other implementations are within the scope that may be claimed.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

The method described in the embodiment can be stored as a program that can be executed by a calculator (computer) on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), and can also be distributed by transmitting it via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium also includes a setting program that configures the software means (including not only execution programs but also tables and data structures) that the computer executes. The computer that realizes this device reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and in some cases, configures the software means using the setting program, and executes the above-mentioned processing by controlling the operation of this software means. Note that the recording medium referred to in this specification is not limited to a storage medium for distribution, but also includes storage media such as a magnetic disk or semiconductor memory provided inside the computer or in a device connected via a network. The storage unit may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory.

100 First user terminal 200 Second user terminal 300 Network 400 Server device 410 Reception unit 420 Distribution unit 430 Generation unit 440 Transmission unit

Claims (26)

An information processing system including one or more computer processors,
the one or more computer processors:
a reception unit that receives information transmitted from a first user terminal of a first user and/or a second user terminal of a second user;
a distribution unit that transmits information about a video including a character object of the first user to the second user terminal, thereby making the video viewable on the second user terminal;
a generation unit that generates object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame that is displayed on the second user terminal together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user;
An information processing system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the object display data generated by the generation unit to the second user terminal in response to a display request for the object display frame from the second user terminal accepted by the acceptance unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the history information stored in association with the first user includes information regarding a history in which the first user is associated with a specific event. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the history information stored in association with the first user includes information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the history information stored in association with the second user includes information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in a video associated with the first user. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the history information stored in association with the second user includes information regarding a request sent from the second user terminal to display a specific object in any video, including a video associated with the first user. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the generation unit generates object display data that identifies a target object that is the subject of specific display control from among the objects displayed in the object display frame based on the history information, and displays the target object in a first position in the object display frame, or displays the target object in a manner different from other objects in the object display frame. The information processing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the generation unit identifies, as the target object, a certain number of predetermined objects in the immediate vicinity of the second user terminal for which a display request has been sent based on the history information. The information processing system according to claim 7, characterized in that the generation unit generates object display data in which the number of times display requests for the specified object were sent at one time is associated with the target object based on the history information. The reception unit further receives designation information of an object and/or an attribute of the object transmitted from the first user terminal and/or the second user terminal;
The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the generation unit identifies a designated object based on the designation information, and generates object display data that displays the designated object at a second position in the object display frame, or that displays the designated object in a manner different from other objects in the object display frame. The one or more computer processors further include:
a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined event is associated with the first user;
When the determination unit determines that a predetermined event is associated with the first user, the generation unit generates display information regarding a required value that is necessary for a parameter value associated with the first user for the predetermined event to reach a predetermined value;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the display information to the second user terminal. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined value is a value that is predetermined for the predetermined event. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined value is a value that varies depending on parameter values associated with other users associated with the predetermined event. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the generation unit updates the display information in real time in response to changes in the required value. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the parameter value is a value that increases based on the number and/or value of requests to display an object in the video sent from the second user terminal. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the generation unit sets the required value as the display information. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the generation unit determines the type of necessary objects to make the necessary value 0, calculates the number of necessary objects required to make the necessary value 0, and sets the type and number of necessary objects as the display information. The information processing system according to claim 16, characterized in that the generation unit determines the type of required object for making the required value 0 based on the history information. The information processing system according to claim 16, characterized in that the generation unit determines the type of object required to set the required value to 0 based on the number of the second user terminals. The information processing system according to claim 16, characterized in that the generating unit further generates information for displaying a batch object on the second user terminal that can transmit a display request for the number of required objects at once. The information processing system according to claim 16, characterized in that the reception unit receives a provisional display request for the necessary objects from the second user terminal, and when the number of the provisional display requests reaches the number, it regards the display requests for the number of the necessary objects as having been received all at once. The information processing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first position is a top position of the object display frame or a position within a specific tab in the object display frame. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the generation unit calculates the number of points required to make the required value 0, and sets the required number as the display information. The one or more computer processors further include:
a determination unit that determines whether the number of points associated with the second user is sufficient to meet the required number;
The information processing system described in claim 22, characterized in that when the judgment unit determines that the number of points is insufficient to the required number, the transmission unit transmits information to the second user terminal for displaying an object that serves as a guide to a screen that performs a process to increase the points. one or more computer processors,
A receiving step of receiving information transmitted from a first user terminal of a first user and/or a second user terminal of a second user;
a distribution step of transmitting information about a moving image including a character object of the first user to the second user terminal, thereby making the moving image viewable on the second user terminal;
a generating step of generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed on the second user terminal together with the video, based on history information stored in association with the first user and/or the second user;
a determination step of determining whether or not a display request for the object display frame has been made from the second user terminal;
and a transmission step of transmitting the object display data generated in the generation step to the second user terminal in response to a display request of the object display frame from the second user terminal. An information processing method in an information processing device having one or more computer processors,
the one or more computer processors;
a receiving step of receiving information about a moving image including a character object of a first user from a server device;
a generating step of generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with a first user terminal of the first user and/or the information processing device;
a determination step of determining whether or not a display request for the object display frame has been made;
and a display step of displaying, in response to a display request for the object display frame, the object display frame generated based on the object display data generated in the generating step, together with the moving image. A computer program executed on an information processing device having one or more computer processors,
the one or more computer processors;
a receiving function for receiving information relating to a moving image including a character object of the first user from the server device;
a generation function of generating object display data, which is data to be displayed in an object display frame displayed together with the video, based on history information stored in association with a first user terminal of the first user and/or the information processing device;
a display function that displays, in response to a display request for the object display frame, the object display frame generated based on the object display data generated by the generation function together with the video.

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